Rheinmetall Defence's Air Burst Hand Grenade is designed to eliminate the tactical advantage of a wall or vertical structure sheltering an enemy target. (Hope Hodge Seck)

QUANTICO, VA. — Rheinmetall Defence is showcasing a technology here at Modern Day Marine that could cause enemies sheltering in trenches or behind berms to feel much less safe.

The Austrian company has developed an Air Burst Hand Grenade that is equipped with two charges, not just one. After being activated and thrown, the first charge shoots the grenade about two meters in the air, where the second charge detonates the explosive. The system is designed to eliminate the tactical advantage of a wall or vertical structure sheltering an enemy target.

Other features include a cone-shaped body that directs fragments downward to ensure the elimination of the target on the ground, while controlling outward dispersion.

The company’s senior advisor, Mike Miller, said while no Air Burst grenades have been fielded to U.S. military buyers yet, the Swedish Armed Forces began using the new weapons system last year.